Electric switch.



H. J. MOREY @L F. A. BROGDEN.

` ELECTRIG SWITCH.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 29, 1911.

Patented June 25, l191.2.

N m y j? By WITNESS/SS HARRY J. MOREY AND FAY A. BROGDEN, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 29, 1911.

Patented June 25, 1912.

serian No. 617,766.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY J. Mourir and FAY A. BRocDnN, citizens of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention particularly relates to a pendent switch of the push-button type and consists in a new construction and arrangement of parts, whereby a strong, simple and economical device is produced and certain advantages are obtained. Important features are the arrangement by which both a quick make and quick break are made at two points, and the construction by which the operating arm is insulated from the circuit closer, whereby dangers arising from sparking, carbonizing of terminals and short circuits are avoided.

@ur invention and the particular form by which it is here illustrated, will be understood by reference to the drawing herewith in which the reference letters of this description indicate the corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figures 1 and 2 are vertical cross-sectional views of a preferred form of the device, showing the parts respectively in the make and break positions. Figs. 3 and t are bottom plans corresponding respectively to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a top plan. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section at right angles to Figs. 1 and 2, better to illustrate the structure. Figs. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 6 illustrating a modified form of switch.

- Inthe drawing 1 indicates a block of porcelain or other suitable insulating material, provided with a central cavity 2 for the switch mechanism, and on each side thereof a V shaped recess 3 for receiving the circuit-closer C and for limiting its extent of swing. At the bottom of the said side recesses is the fulcrum bearing 5 for said cir: cuit-closer. T he block is formed with a slot 8 through its lower wall for the perforated ear 10 of the rocking-frame 0., and with a cross-groove 6 in its lower surface for the fulcrum pin 9 engaging with said K ear, whereby the frame is maintained in posi.- tion. Indirectly the circuit-closer is also maintained in position by said pin through the medium of the actuating spring 12. rllhis spring is strung on the connecting pin 15 and is held under compression between the collar 14- on said pin and a cross-bar connecting the two legs of the frame at their upper ends. At its upper end the pin is litted to a hole in said cross-bar and, at its lower end, to forked piece 16, straddling the cross-bar 18 of the circuit-closer, which may be notched as best shown in Fig. 6, better to maintain the relation of the part-s. This forked piece may be made of metal and integral' with the pin as is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, but is preferably separate and made of porcelain, or other suitable insulating material, whereby the rockingframe is insulated from the circuit-closer, as shown in the other figures. The wire terminals 2O may be countersunk in the upper surface of the block as shown and there secured by screws 22 extending through the bloc'k. The terminals are fitted with binding screws 23 and are formed with tips 24 extending down into the cavity for making contact with the fingers 25 of thc circuit-closer; the tips are preferably inclined shown to give a good contact. This circuit-closer may be stamped from one piece of metal with the fingers 25 bent substantially at a right angle to the cross-bar as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, but we prefer the form shown in the other figures-#the lingers formed of a separate, light, more resilient finger-piece 2G, preferably of copper, bent into a U shapeand fitted or secured by any suitable means to the stiffer yoke 28 of brass or other suitable material, set in the fulcrum bearings 5 and adapted to be rocked thereon. The finger piece, as best shown in Fig'G, may have its base slotted to straddle the cross bar of the yoke and its fingers perforated to engage with inwardly extending tips 32 on the upper ends of the arms 30. The finger-piece may thus be sprung into place kon the yoke easily and without any special holding means. The rocking of the frame 0 in one direction or the other to snap the circuit-closer into or out of contact is effected by the thumbpieces 34-31 hinged to the base of the frame by pintles 35, or other suitable means, and downwardly extending through the holes 36 in the block.

The modications shown in Figs. 7 and 8 have been described except the fulcrum and the securing means for the frame. Instead of the pin 9 arranged in the groove in the bottom surface of the block, there is proin operative position between them and are then inserted in the cavity with the push-` buttonsI fitting their holes, and the circuitcloser in its fulcrum bearing. The frame is then pressed farther down against the 1 pressure of the spring until the ear l0 extends far enough through the slot 8 for the insertion of the pin 9,' from the outside into the perforation in the ear. Then releasing the hold, the spring draws the pin snugly into a notch in the groove 6 and the operating parts are maintained securely in vposition by this simple means. The pin 9 thus performs the double function of a fulcrum for the rocking-frame and a securing means for the parts. After the parts are assembled, the groove 6 may be filled with an insulating strip 39. The cavity may be covered over by insulating piece 38, secured by nuts 22.

The entire switch may be inclosed, as usual, in a brass shell but it is not necessary to show this. Y i l The operation is as follows z-Starting with the parts in the posit-ion of'Fig. 1, where the circuit is shown closed through the circuit closer by the contact ofits fingers 25 with the two wire terminals 24-24 which extend down on each side a shortdist-ance into the cavity, and pressing on the push button 34', the operating frame O is swung toward the left compressing the spring 12 until the axes of the yoke and of the circuit closer are substantially parallel. When the frame O has passed that point in its swing toward the left and its axis has passed the axis of the circuit closer C, the spring is free to expand, whereupon it snaps the circuit-closer toward the right producing a spring break. Pressure on the other push button 34 operates in a similar way in the reverse directionto effect the spring make. The movement of the operating frame is limited by its engagement with the block take the shock of contact by its engagement with the sides of the V vshaped recesses '3, reducing wear etc. I

While we do not propose to limit ourselves to the exact detail features ofform and arrangement, yet certain of lthese fea` tures are important, such as the small simple parts to .be stamped from sheet metal, the simple means for retaining the parts in place, the fulcrum bearing recesses for the circuit closer, and the increase-in safety resulting from the insulation between the circuit-closer and the rocking-frame. Said insulation between these parts not only gives extra protection, but permits the use of metal push-buttons .where desired. -Push buttons of hard rubber and similar material on met-al shanks in circuit have proved vdangerous in cases. Metal push buttons are strong and sightly and economical to make. With our switch the necessity of a fiber cap or plate on the push button end is avoided., Havingldescribed our invention we c-laim, 1. In a switch mechanism the combination with a block of insulating material for supporting the parts, said block being provided with a recess and a notch therein forming a fulcrum for a circuit-closer, of the circuit-closer set in said fulcrumand adapted to be snapped in alternate directions to make and break the circuit, a rocking part, meansto secure the rocking partin position, hand operated means to rock said part back and forth, and a spring connection between 'the rocking part and the circuit-closer, the spring of said connection being compressed by the movement of the rocking part until the latter has passed a certain point when the spring is free to expand and impart a quick movement to the circuit-closer. Y 2. In a quick-make, quick-break switch mechanism, the combination with a supporting block of insulating material -having a cavity and recess in said cavity forming a fulcrum for a circuit-closer and limiting the movement thereof, of the circuit-closer set on said fulcrum, a rocking part set in the recess, lmeans to secure the rocking part in position, hand operated means to rock the rocking part back and forth and a spring connection between the rocking part and the circuit-closer, the spring of said connection being compressed during the first part of the movement of the rocking part and until the latter. has rocked past a certain point,

. when it is free to expand and impart a snap movement to the circuit-closer in the reverse direction to the movement of the rocking part- 3. .In a switch mechanism for producing a quick-make and a quick-break at two points in the circuit,the combination with an insulating block having a cavity and a recess on each side ofthe cavlty, the extremities of said recesses forming a fulcrum for the circuit-closer, wire terminals on the block, a circuit-closer set in the fulcrum andhaving its ends extending adjacent to the wire terminals, a rocking frame set in the cavity,

means for securing the frame in position so that it will rock, push-buttons hinged to the iframe to rock the latter from one side to the other, a connection between the frame and the circuit-closer, said connection being loosely connected to each part, and a spring on said connection arranged to be compressed by the movement' of the frame till the frame has passed a certain point.

4L. In a pendent switch the combination with an insulating block having a cavity and a V shaped recess on each side of the cavity, the extremities of said recess forming a fulcrum for the circuit-closer, Wire terminals on the block, a U shaped circuit closer set in the fulcrum and having its ends extending adjacent to the respective wire terminals, a frame set in the cavity transversely of the circuit-closer, means for securing the frame in position so that it will rock, push-buttons hinged to opposite ends of the base bar of the frame to rock said frame from one side to the other, a connection bet-Ween the frame and the circuit-closer loosely connected to both parts and a spring on said connection arranged to be compressed by the movement of the frame till the frame has passed a. certain point, when the spring is free to expand and snap the circuit-closer in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the frame.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, a supporting block having a cavity for the operating parts and a slot in its lower Wall, an operating part and an operated part arranged in the cavity, said operating part having an ear extending through said slot, a piece engaging with said ear and arranged on the opposite side of the wall from the operating part to maintain said part in position, and a spring connection between the operating part and the operated part, to maintain the latter in position and to communicate a quick movenient thereto from the former.

G. In a pendent switch the combination with an insulating block having a cavity and recesses on each side of the cavity forming a fulcrum for the circuit-closer, wire terminals on the blocka U shaped circuitcloser having a cross-bar set in the fulcrum and fingers upwardly extending therefrom adjacent to the respective wire terminals, a rocking-frame journaled in the -cavity transversely of the circuit-closer, said frame having a base arranged below the cross-bar of Vthe circuit-closer and legs upwardly extending from the base, said legs being connected by a cross-bar, means for securing the frame in position, means connected to the frame for rocking it back and forth, a connection between the frame and the circuit-closer loosely connected to the crossbar of'both parts and a spring on said connection arranged to be compressed by the movement of the frame till the frame has passed a certain point, when the spring is free to expand and snap the circuit-closer in a direction opposite to the direction of movementof the frame.

7. In a pendent switch, a substantially cylindrical porcelain block having an upwardly opening cavity, push-button holes through its lower wall into said cavity and opposite V shaped recesses in the cavity one on each side, said recesses terminating at their lower ends in notches forming a fulcrum in the porcelain, wire terminals on the block having tips extending down into the respective recesses, a circuit-closer having a cross-bar set in the fulcrum and arms extending up in the recesses on cach side adjacent to the corresponding wire terminal tips, a rocking frame secured in the cavity transversely of the circuit-closer and having a cross-bar at one end, push butto-ns hinged to the rocking frame to rock the latter back and forth and outwardly extending therefrom through the push-button holes, a connecting pin having one end engaging in a hole in the cross-bar of the frame and the other end engaging with the circuitcloser cross-bar, and a spiral spring strung on the pin, said spring being compressed by the rocking of the frame in either direction till the axis of the frame passes the plane of the circuit-closer whereupon the spring expands and snaps the circuit-closer in the reverse direction to the yoke, substantially as described and shown.

8. A push-button pendent switch comprising a block of porcelain provided with a cavity for the switch mechanism, said cavity being formed on opposite sides With V shaped recesses having notches at their lower ends, forming a fulcrum for the circuit closer, the inclined walls of each recess extending from the notch upwardly to the mouth of the cavity, terminals on the upper portion ofthe block having each a tip eX- tending down into one of said recesses,'said tips being arranged opposite and adjacent each to the corresponding inclined Wall, a circuit-closer fulcrumed in said notches and adapted to be snapped into and out of con'- tact with said tips, a rocking part arranged in the cavity, a suitable fulcrum for the rocking-part, hand operated means to rock said rocking p art back and forth, and` a spring connection between the rocking part and the circuit-closer, the spring of saidis free to expand and `snap the circuit-closer into or out of contact with the terminals, the inclined Walls on each side of the V shaped recesses operating as stops to limit the motion of the Vcircuit closer, substantially as described and shown.

9. Means for supporting and securing in connection being compressed by the move- Q ment of the rocking-part until the latter has passed a certain point when the spring i position the operative part of an electric said depressed ortion of the groove and switch comprislng a porcelain block having filling material or said groove. a cavity for the switch parts and a lower In testimony whereof we have signed our wall, said wall being provided with a slot names to this specification in the presence of 1b 5 and on its outersurface a groove transverse two subscribing witnesses.

to sai-d slot and havin a de ressed ortion 1 immediately adjacent ttg-:he slolt), the oplerative Y i part Aarranged in the cavity and having a perforated ear extending through said slot, Witnesses: v f Loa fulcrum pin engaging with said ear and W. BREws'rER HALL` arranged on the outer surface of the wall in JN0. BRooKs. 

